Tourism development is still a dream in Kodagu!

It is a nature lover’s paradise with great landscape, lush green valleys, misty woods, rivers and enchanting waterfalls. Thousands of tourists throng the district every year. Unfortunately, lack of basic facilities welcome the tourists in the district. Though there is ample of opportunities for the promotion of tourism, not much development has taken place in this regard.

Though Kodagu is very close to Kerala, the development which has taken place in Kerala is not seen in Kodagu. It was during the reign of former CM S M Krishna, Rs 15 crore was sanctioned for the renovation of Talacauvery and Bhagamandala. Barring the renovation of these two holy places, no other development has taken place in the district to promote tourism.

Kodagu is known for Rajaseat, Abbeyfalls, Talacauvery and Bhagamandala. However, there are many other unidentified tourists spots in the district.  The district has shortage of lodges. There is a need to build guest houses in Bhagamandala and Talacauvery to facilitate the tourists who visit there. If a huge guest house is built which can accommodate thousand tourists at a time in Talacauvery and Bhagamandala, then tourists need to struggle to get lodging.

The district do not have tourism officer who can prepare a proposal to boost tourism in the district. Several posts are lying vacant in the tourism department for the last several years and the government has not bothered to fill these posts.  All the district-in-Charge Ministers in the past have been making only assurances on the promotion of tourism.

There is lack of will power on the part of elected representatives to promote tourism in the district. The promotion of tourism in the district will also provide employment to the unemployed youths in the district. “The promotion of tourism should not harm the culture of the district. Government should atleast now think of promoting tourism in Kodagu by providing basic facilities,” feels a tourists.